Man faces murder charge after 2007 death of Birkenhead market trader

Jun 14 2011 By Tom Duffy

A MAN has been charged with the murder of Birkenhead market trader  Bashir Ahmed.

Gerard Brian Murphy, 33, of no fixed abode,  was set to appear before Wirral Magistrates this afternoon.

Mr Ahmed was assaulted in his flat on the Woodlands, Birkenhead on August 9 2007.

He remained virtually paralysed and on a ventilator after the attack, until he died from his injuries in August 2009 at Manchester Royal Infirmary.

Stall holders reacted with shock to the attack at the time, describing Mr Ahmed, known locally as ‘Pete’, as a loved and respected member of the Birkenhead community.

Danny Doyle, marketing director at the market, said: "He's a really likeable character, and everyone here knows him as a thorough gentleman.

"Bashir was the first Asian trader at the market and he came here in 1973, he was part of that vanguard of people who really became part of the community, he had respect here."